Juventus hosts Real Madrid today (21 October 2008) in a high-profile match of Champions League. The Group H match will see group leader Real Madrid lock horns with second-placed Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico stadium in Turin, Italy. This is undoubtedly an important match for either side. Juventus has not been at their prime so far this season in Italian Serie A, while Spanish champion Real Madrid has got an ordinary start to the Spanish La Liga this season in their title defense campaign. However, both the clubs got off to a better start in their champions league campaign. So, an exciting match is expected to take place in Turin tonight.
Match: Juventus vs Real Madrid; Champions League 2008-2009, Gropu H
Date: 21 October 2008, Tuesday
Venue: Stadio Olimpico stadium in Turin, Italy
Kick off: 19:45 BST (British Standard Time)
Juventus started their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg at home. However, the Italian giants were held to a 2-2 draw by Belarus club BATE Borisov on the road. So, from two matches, Juventus secured 4 points and currently stands second in the point table after Real Madrid. On the other hand, Real Madrid has picked up maximum 6 points from 2 matches with a opening match home victory over BATE Borisov 2-0 and a 2-1win away at Zenit St. Petersburg. There is no doubt, both Real Madrid and Juventus are favorite to progress to the round of 16 from Group H. Both sides are now in the right course of getting into the next stage of the competition.
Now, let us come to the domestic form of the two clubs. There is hardly any doubt that Juventus has got off to a poor start to Series A this season. From 7 Serie A matches, they could manage to get 9 points, 7 points behind leader Inter Milan. Juventus is now at the 12th position in the league table. Juventus’ recent form even does not show any improvement as the ‘Old Lady of Turin’ lost both of their last two Serie A matches, the latest being away at Napoli 2-1. Even in the last home match, Juventus was beaten by Palermo 2-1. So, it is clear that Juventus does not have any recent experience from where they can get inspiration. Juventus has already gone far away from the Serie A title race this season and here they can find inspiration to come out strong against Real Madrid, given that Champions League is perhaps the only place left to compensate their poor domestic run.
However, Real Madrid has not been in such a poor condition. In fact, the defending champions are still very much active in their title defense campaign. Real Madrid is currently at the 5th position in the league table with 16 points from 7 matches. Well, it might give you some bad impression about Real Madrid’s recent form, but the truth is that the difference between Real Madrid and leader Valencia is just of 3 points. So, you can make a guess that how much competition is there in the Spanish league so far this season with three points separating five teams in the league table. Real Madrid’s recent form is also pretty much satisfactory as they have pulled off a confidence booster 2-1 derby win away at Atletico Madrid. In the last seven matches in all competition, Real Madrid did not lose any match; rather they picked up 6 wins and a draw. This is what reveals their recent from.
On the other hand, Juventus got two victories, two defeats and three draws in their last 7 matches in all competition. However, Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster does not show any complacency ahead of the away trip to Turin. Rather he thinks that Claudio Ranieri and his boys know it very well how to win and handle pressure. However, he has also said that his boys know the strong and weak points of the Italian opponents.
Goal.com reported:
"Juventus' situation doesn't favor Ranieri, but Claudio is an expert coach, he knows how to face these games," he said. "Juve know how to handle pressure, they know how to win. For us it could be tougher to play a side who want to win at all costs and who have many players out injured.
"We have to play with intelligence. We have studied Juve, we've watched many of their games. They've changed their formation often due to injuries, but we have a clear idea of their weak and strong points. Aside from that, I know Ranieri. If we win, we would make a big step ahead."
Real Madrid is missing a number of key players for the trio to Turin through injury and several other reasons. Guti, Mahamadou Diarra, Miguel Torres, Jordi Codina, Michel Salgado and Javier Saviola all have been out of the match. However, the good news for the Real fans is that Arjen Robben is available for the match against Juventus after recovering from his muscular problem that kept him out of Real Madrid’s derby win over Atletico Madrid. German international Christoph Metzelder has been back to the contention after being rested for the weekend encounter with Atletico Madrid. Juventus also has injury woes with Gianluigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet already out of the Real Madrid clash through injury. The recent name appeared in the injury list is midfielder Christian Poulsen.
For Real Madrid, I think, Ruud van Nistelrooy will have a great role to play and he could be crucial for the Spanish giants against Juventus. He has the pace, talent and experience to tear apart any opposition. Real fans will definitely look for some moments of magic the Dutch forward against Juventus. Well, Juventus also has someone who can turn the world of opposition team upside down with his skill, talent and most importantly experience and he is veteran Alessandro Del Piero. So, you can find a tussle between Nistelrooy and Del Piero in the match.
Online Live Score and Updates
Here, I am giving some names of online live score and update websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:
Live Score
Goalzz
Live Football Scores
Goal.com
Footie Scorez
Well, I do not want to pick up any side as favorite for today’s high profile champions league clash. Real Madrid has been in good form, but they are going to take on Juventus on the road, while Juventus has their home advantage with them, but their recent poor form does not give enough justification to consider them as favorite for today’s match. However, I think, it could be a hard-fought, mouthwatering battle at the Stadio Olimpico stadium, Turin in Italy.
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